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It decreased in January~February but started to soar in March … North Korea’s trade dependence on China is intensifying -

It appears that the trade volume between North
Korea and China increased by 15.3 percent in the first half of this year
compared to the same period last year.

According to the report
titled ‘Trends in North Korea-China Trade and Implications of the First Half of
2019' issued by the Korea International Trade Association (Chairman, Kim
Young-Ju) on August 9th, North Korea's exports to China from January
to June were 105 million dollars and its imports were 1.145 billion dollars,
increased by 14 percent and 15.5 percent respectively year-on-year.

Trade volume between North
Korea and China rose 8.8 percent and 4.5 percent year-on-year in January and
February, and soared to 38.1 percent and 39.3 percent in March and April. Its
upward trend continued in May (19.1%) and June (8.7%).

The main items that North
Korea imported from China were soybean oil, flour, fruits, seafood, watch
parts, fertilizers, and textiles. Export products to China were mainly watches,
wigs, tungsten and molybdenum.

The report pointed out
"Due to UN Security Council sanctions on major export products, such as
coal and clothing, North Korea is increasing its exports of non-sanctioned
items but they are not enough to replace the sanctioned items." The report
also elaborated, “North Korea where foreign currency
supply is difficult due to sanctions has a structure that trade deficit
increases when its trade to China increases. North Korea’s increased trade with
China means increased demand for lifting sanctions.”

An official at the Korea
International Trade Association said, “Despite the
international sanctions against North Korea, trade between North Korea and
China continues focusing on non-sanctioned items for geopolitical reasons. If
sanctions are relaxed while the trade between North Korea and China is
increasing this year, North Korea's economic dependence on China could be more
intensified due to the rapid economic cooperation between North Korea and
China.”